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Should fantasy owners take a chance on Ryan Grant?

Cory Bonini, USA TODAY Sports
Published 12:31 p.m. ET Sept. 28, 2012

When last seen in an NFL uniform, Ryan Grant was starting for the Green Bay Packers in last season's NFC Divisional Playoff. Grant was signed this week as a free agent by the Redskins.(Photo: Corey Wilson, Green Bay Press-Gazette )

Story Highlights

Veteran running back will give the Redskins much-needed backfield depth

It is no secret Mike Shanahan seems to get a rise out of messing with fantasy owners' minds when it comes to juggling his running backs.

Offseason sleeper Roy Helu's durability was a regular talking point when Shanahan addressed the versatile back. It should come as no surprise that turf toe and an Achilles' tendon strain have forced him to season-ending injured reserve.

Evan Royster (knee) has a strained patella tendon. The second-year back does nothing special and is a questionable fit for this zone-blocking system.

In typical Shanahan fashion, virtually unknown rookie Alfred Morris emerged as this offense's go-to back. Consider him the top dog until you see otherwise. He has been slightly better than adequate.

This backfield needed an explosive element -- something Helu could have brought to the table -- until the Redskins realized exactly what they had in Robert Griffin III. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has done a fine job molding his system to fit RGIII's skill set by implementing zone-reads to take advantage of Griffin's legs and set up play-action passing.

With Helu on IR and Royster on the mend, Morris will get the occasional breather from veteran Ryan Grant. He is, well, serviceable. Grant won't break many long runs, but he isn't a liability either with ball security or playing bodyguard for RGIII.

Encouraging for fantasy purposes, huh? Owned in only 8% of leagues polled, Grant has more value than that. He is an acceptable receiver out of the backfield -- an important quality with Morris' limited pass-catching skills and Helu's injury.

Fantasy footballers looking for depth -- owners of Shonn Greene, Beanie Wells, Chris Johnson, Steven Jackson, Michael Turner and Donald Brown, to name a few -- have to consider Grant for their squads. He's not an immediate fantasy starter, but snatch him up to see how this situation shakes out if you have roster room. Conversely, don't be surprised if he is released in a few weeks if a better option tickles Mike Shanahan's fancy.